For the general election, Everett criticized Mullin's inability to create jobs for Oklahomans and for failing to help the "15 percent to 21 percent of residents who live within Oklahoma’s 2nd Congressional District (who) are food insecure."[5] The race was rated a "Safe Republican" contest by Rothenberg Political Report/Roll Call.[6]

Candidate Filing Deadline

Primary Election

General Election

April 11, 2014

June 24, 2014

November 4, 2014

Primary: Oklahoma is one of 21 states with a mixed primary system. Parties decide who may vote, so an unaffiliated voter must be authorized by a party in order to vote in the primary.[7]

Voter registration: To vote in the primary, voters had to register by May 30, 2014. For the general election, the voter registration deadline was October 10, 2014 (25 days prior to the election).[8]

Race Background

"Not conservative enough"

In the race for the Republican nomination, Darrel Robertson accused Markwayne Mullin of not being “conservative enough’’ and said, "The tea party helped get him elected in the first place, and his first vote to keep (U.S. Rep. John) Boehner as speaker, that really upset them. He fell in with the Republican leadership, just fell right into the tank."[11] In response to the criticism Mullin said, "I bring conservative values to every approach I take. I don't know where (Robertson's) coming up with this. I'm a Christian man. I believe in the U.S. Constitution. I'm pro-life. The NRA has endorsed me. He's running around accusing me of everything you can think of. Anybody can say what they want. That's one of the hardest things (about politics)."[11]

Key votes

National security

NDAA

Mullin voted for HR 1960 - the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2014. The bill passed the House on June 14, 2013, with a vote of 315 - 108. Both parties were somewhat divided on the vote.[12]

DHS Appropriations

Mullin voted for HR 2217 - the DHS Appropriations Act (2014) Act of 2014. The bill passed the House on June 6, 2013, with a vote of 245 - 182 that was largely along party lines.[13]

CISPA (2013)

Mullin voted for HR 624 - the CISPA (2013). The bill passed the House on April 18, 2013, with a vote of 288 - 127. The bill permitted federal intelligence agencies to share cybersecurity intelligence and information with private entities and utilities. The bill was largely supported by Republicans, but divided the Democratic Party.[14]

Economy

Government shutdown

On September 30, 2013, the House passed a final stopgap spending bill before the shutdown went into effect. The bill included a one-year delay of the Affordable Care Act's individual mandate and would have also stripped the bill of federal subsidies for congressional members and staff. It passed through the House with a vote of 228-201.[15] At 1 a.m. on October 1, 2013, one hour after the shutdown officially began, the House voted to move forward with going to a conference. In short order, Sen. Harry Reid rejected the call to conference.[16] Mullin voted in favor of the stopgap spending bill that would have delayed the individual mandate.[17]

The shutdown ended on October 16, 2013, when the House took a vote on HR 2775 after it was approved by the Senate. The bill to reopen the government lifted the $16.7 trillion debt limit and funded the government through January 15, 2014. Federal employees also received retroactive pay for the shutdown period. The only concession made by Senate Democrats was to require income verification for Obamacare subsidies.[18] The House passed the legislation shortly after the Senate, by a vote of 285-144, with all 144 votes against the legislation coming from Republican members. Mullin voted against HR 2775.[19]

Immigration

Morton Memos Prohibition

Mullin voted for House Amendment 136 - Prohibits the Enforcement of the Immigration Executive Order. The amendment was adopted by the House on June 6, 2013, with a vote of 224 - 201. The purpose of the amendment as stated on the official text is to "prohibit the use of funds to finalize, implement, administer, or enforce the Morton Memos." These memos would have granted administrative amnesty to certain illegal aliens residing in the United States.[21] The vote largely followed party lines.[22]

Healthcare

Healthcare Reform Rules

Mullin voted for House Amendment 450 - Requires Congressional Approval for Any Rules Under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. The amendment was adopted by the House on August 2, 2013, with a vote of 227-185. The amendment requires that all changes to the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act be approved by Congress before taking effect. The vote was largely along party lines.[23]